February 2013 Author in the Room® Teleconference
Author: Daniel S. Chertow, MD, MPH
Article: Bacterial Coinfection in Influenza: A Grand Rounds Review
Summary Points:
- Influenza vaccine remains the best available tool for prevention of severe influenza illness commonly associated with bacterial coinfection.
- Early empirical antiviral and antibiotic therapy should be administered to all individuals with suspected coinfection.
- Vancomycin or linezolid should be administered in addition to standard therapy for community-acquired pneumonia to patients with severe or necrotizing pneumonia and or evidence of sepsis.
